Plot: What’s it about?
Dalton (Patrick Swayze) is known as a cooler, the man who oversees a team of bouncers and directs them on how to handle various situations. He happens to be one of the best in the business, to the extent that troubled bars often call him in to settle the place down, then he heads off to do the same elsewhere. In this case, he is asked to work his magic and take control over the Double Deuce, a rowdy bar that has become laden with violence, theft, and disregard for duties, that unless something is done, it might have to be closed down. After some negotiations, Dalton agrees and ventures to Jasper, Missouri, where he rents a barn, buys a used car, and prepares to restore order to the Double Deuce. As soon as he arrives, his eyes begin to soak in all the events within the bar, so he is quick to make decisions that will improve the bar’s atmosphere. He cuts loose several bouncers and even catches the bartender skimming funds from the till, as well as other acts of misbehavior within the staff. But his actions soon become a problem for local kingpin Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara), who plans to make sure Dalton is sent home with his tail between his legs, no matter what it takes to ensure that happens. Dalton isn’t willing to give in however, so a battle between the two rages and in the end, only one side will remain standing…
This is one of those movies that you know isn’t all that great, but damn, if it doesn’t always manage to be a blast to watch. No, Road House isn’t the kind of movie to win awards, garner critical acclaim, or even pull much box office, but it has found a sizable audience on cable television and of course, home video. I couldn’t count how many afternoons I spent watching this one on cable, as it simply entertains and offers a fun ride. Road House fails in terms of traditional dramatic efforts, but it delivers some rowdy, wild barfights, decent romance, and a ton of memorable lines and humorous moments. And since Joel Silver produced this one, it has a solid budget and that enhances the atmosphere and locks in a few decent names. The barfights are tons of fun, with all kinds of bottle-blasts, table-smashes, and hiding under the bar, just the kind of stuff you want from a movie like this, including a great band inside the Double Deuce. Never underestimate the importance of a bar band and with Jeff Healey on tap, complete with chainlink surrounding his stage, you know the tunes are terrific here. I recommend Road House to anyone looking for a brisk, fun movie with tons of barfights, especially at MGM’s low asking price.
He made a few movies in the 1980s that have remained popular, but one of Patrick Swayze’s final film from that decade is Road House. Of course, he’s better known for a certain movie in which he bumps & grinds with Ferris Bueller’s sister, but I happen to prefer his part here as his best work from the 80s. Swayze seems like the natural choice for the role and in truth, I can’t see anyone else being able to pull it off as well. Others could enhance the dramatic aspects of Road House, but they wouldn’t be as much fun to watch in the tough talkin’ and ass kickin’ sequences. Its great to watch Swayze rumble with the tough guys, as he fits right in with the backwoods types seen here and even has the start of a mullet to prove it. He is able to handle the romantic angle well and he manages to have his butt on screen yet again, but his finest moments comes when he gets to interact with the other bouncers. Other films with Swayze include Ghost, Red Dawn, Donnie Darko, Point Break, Letters From a Killer, and Dirty Dancing. The cast also includes Kelly Lynch (Cocktail, Drugstore Cowboy), Sam Elliot (We Were Soldiers, Tombstone), and Ben Gazzara (The Thomas Crown Affair, The Spanish Prisoner).
Video: How does it look?
Road House is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, with a full frame edition included on the disc’s flip side. This might be part of MGM’s lower priced line of releases, but you wouldn’t know it from this top notch treatment. The print used shows no serious signs of wear and as far as more minor ones, even nicks and grain remain minimal. The colors are bright and bold when needed, while flesh tones are natural at all times. No problems with contrast either, as black levels remain refined and well balanced throughout. Another great catalog title transfer from MGM, who continues to prove just how good budget titles can look.
Audio: How does it sound?
I was quite pleased with the included 2.0 surround option, as it is an active and more effective soundtrack. As you’d expect from a flick with ample rumbles, Road House has some nice surround presence that draws you inside the battles. The glass shatters, the stools get launched across the bar, and tables are broken in half, all right in front of your eyes and thanks to this mix, you’ll feel like you’re getting pummeled too. Well, maybe not, but even so, this mix is terrific and sounds much more active than I expected. The dialogue is smooth also and of course, the music is great and is well presented here. This disc also includes French and Spanish language options, as well as subtitles in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes the film’s theatrical trailer.
